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Updated: May 22, 2026

Human Liver Microphysiological System for Assessing Drug-Induced Liver Toxicity In Vitro
Published on: January 31, 2022
SlimQuick™ - associated hepatotoxicity in a woman with alpha-1 antitrypsin heterozygosity
Douglas H Weinstein1, William S Twaddell, Jean-Pierre Raufman
1Douglas H Weinstein, Jean-Pierre Raufman, Ayse L Mindikoglu, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States.
Abstract:
Green tea (Camellia sinensis)-associated hepatotoxicity is reported. However, the presence of alpha-1 antitrypsin MZ phenotype as a predisposing factor to green tea-associated drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is unknown. A previously healthy woman with alpha-1 antitrypsin MZ phenotype who took SlimQuick™, an herbal supplement containing green tea extract, developed severe hepatotoxicity requiring corticosteroid treatment. Green tea-associated hepatotoxicity is reviewed and alpha-1 antitrypsin MZ phenotype as a predisposing factor to green tea-associated DILI is discussed. Liver biopsy demonstrated marked inflammation with necrosis suggestive of toxic injury with diffuse alpha-1 antitrypsin globule deposition on immunostaining. Corticosteroid therapy resulted in rapid clinical improvement. Alpha-1 antitrypsin MZ phenotype may increase vulnerability to herbal hepatotoxicity.
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Lethal Alleles
Lucien Cuénot discovered lethal alleles in 1905 while studying the inheritance of coat color in mice. The agouti gene is responsible for the color of the coat in mice. This gene codes for an agouti-signaling protein, which is responsible for melanin distribution in mammals. The wild-type allele gives rise to gray-brown coat color in mice, while the mutant allele gives rise to yellow coat color. In addition to coat color, the agouti gene is associated with the yellow...
